News 2013

Judge Susan Melton presided over General Sessions Court on Tuesday.  Some of the results of the various cases that appeared on the docket included: 
Cody Ryan Burnett’s judicial diversion for reckless endangerment was terminated.  Burnett pled guilty to reckless endangerment and was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $525.00 fine and the costs.  In another case Burnett’s judicial diversion for violating an order of protection was terminated.  Burnett pled guilty to violating an order of protection and was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation and paying the costs.  In another case Burnett agreed to the violation of his probation.  His probation was extended 11 months 29 days.
Haskell Dwayne Carmack pled guilty to driving without a license.  He was sentenced to 30 days in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $2.00 fine and the costs.
Christie Ann Davis pled guilty to driving without a license.  She was sentenced to 30 days in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $2.00 fine and the costs.
Devin Elizebeth Dial’s charge of aggravated burglary was bound over to the May term of the Grand Jury.
Luther Carl Hale Jr. pled guilty to theft under $500.00.  He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $100.00 fine and the costs.
Kirk Leroy Kelch’s charges of aggravated burglary and vandalism over $500.00 were bound over to the May term of the Grand Jury.
Kathy Kirshner’s charge of theft was retired for 11 months 29 days.  She was ordered to pay $500.00 restitution.
Dale Ray Mayo agreed to the violation of his probation.  His probation was extended 11 months 27 days and he was ordered to pay the costs.
Perri Ann Neal pled guilty to driving without a license.  Neal was sentenced to 30 days in jail.  That sentence was suspended upon equal time on probation, paying a $2.00 fine and the costs.
Kyle Joseph Ortkiese agreed to the violation of his probation.  He was ordered to serve 90 days and his probation was extended 17 months 28 days.  Ortkiese charges of aggravated burglary, evading arrest, and theft over $500.00 were bound over to the May term of the Grand Jury.
Melissa Paulette Scott’s charge of possession of marijuana was bound over to the May term of the Grand Jury.
Jeffery Randall Shelton’s charge of sex offender registry violation was bound over to the May term of the Grand Jury.
Sonny Gene Smith pled guilty to criminal impersonation.  He was sentenced to 6 months in jail.  That sentence was partially suspended upon serving 6 days, equal time on probation and paying the costs.  In another case Smith pled guilty to driving on a suspended license 3rd offense.  He was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail.  That sentence was partially suspended upon serving 6 days, equal time on probation, paying a $50.00 fine and the costs.
Frank Howell Turner agreed to the violation of his probation.  His probation was extended 11 months 29 days and he was ordered to pay the costs.
Linda Thorton’s charge of dogs at large was retired for 11 months 29 days.  Thorton was ordered to pay $360.00 in restitution.
Phillip Adams agreed to the violation of his probation.  He was ordered to serve his original sentence of 11 months 29 days.  In other cases Adams pled guilty to two counts of domestic assault and was sentenced to 11 months 29 days in jail on each count.
Justin L. Roger agreed to the violation of his probation.  He was ordered to serve 5 days and his probation was extended 11 months 29 days.

 HUGE THANK YOU’S TO THE MEMBERS AND COACHES OF THE CANNON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!  After getting “rained out” twice, the team hit one out of the park and moved over 1000 boxes of books and assorted equipment and furnishings out of storage and back to the Adams Memorial Library on Saturday, the 19th.  These wonderful guys really came through for us in a big way.  These are polite, hardworking and outstanding young men.  They were a pleasure to work with and they accomplished this entire move in a little more than 2 hours.
 
Now the work of unpacking begins.  We will open sections for the public as soon as items are safely shelved and areas are cleared of obstructions.  We are still awaiting some furniture orders to come in so that we can get everything completely placed in its permanent home.
The local history and genealogy room has been safely returned to the main library and is open for business during regular library hours.
 
We have some tax forms, but many of the different forms have not yet been printed and shipped.  We do not have any clear estimates from the IRS about a delivery date.  Forms that we do have to give away for free are displayed in the new entrance lobby.  Speaking of the new entrance…please remember that the entrance is now through the red doors on the side of the library that faces the fairgrounds.  Come and see us soon!  We still have candy!
 

Woodbury City Police and the Cannon County Sheriff’s Deputies will once again be out in force on local roadways this winter cracking down on seat belt violators, drunk drivers, those who speed and those who drive distracted.  It is all part of a special More Cops, More Stops enforcement blitz which starts today and runs through Super Bowl Sunday February 3rd.  More than 700 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in Tennessee motor vehicle crashes during 2011 and 57 were not wearing seat belts at the time.  Alcohol and speeding were also deadly. Tennessee law enforcement is teaming with the US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on the important project testing the effectiveness of a combined enforcement crackdown.
The special More Cops More Stops enforcement campaign is designed to boost awareness among Tennesseans about the importance to think before acting carelessly and endangering themselves and those around them on the roadways

 Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #88 8th annual pancake breakfast Saturday January 26 at the Cannon County Senior Center 7-10AM $5.00 a person. Children under 5 free. Tickets can be purchased at the door.  Mooretown Volunteer Fire Department has a ham breakfast scheduled for Saturday for more information call 615-765-5929.  A pancake breakfast fundraiser is set for Saturday for the Cannon County High School Softball Team.  The breakfast runs from 7 to 10:30 in the morning at the Cannon County High School Cafeteria Tickets are $5.00
 

The unemployment rate for Cannon County ever so slightly increased from November to December according to figures released Thursday from the State of Tennessee.  The unemployment rate moved up to 5.9 percent which is up 1/10th of a percentage point from Novembers 5.8 rate.  Out of an estimated 6.620 people in the work force, 6230 were employed which left 390 unemployed.  Neighboring counties reported an increase in unemployment as well.  Coffee County went to 7.3 percent,  Dekalb also reported a 7.3 percent unemployment rate.  Rutherford County was tagged with a 5.8 percent rate, Warren had the highest in the area at 8.4 percent while Wilson reported a 6 percent unemployment rate.  The state’s unemployment rate over all was at 7.6 percent  

Due To Weather Conditions Cannon County Schools Will Be Opening Two Hours Late Today

A call in to the Cannon County Sheriff’s Department of a woman screaming led to an arrest for Methamphetamine charges.  Sunday Cannon County Sheriff’s Deputies received a call dispatched from 9-1-1 that a female was screaming in the area of Valley Ridge Lane.  Cannon County Investigator Brandon Gullett arrived on the scene and according to sheriff’s reports,  witness several subjects running away.  One of the subjects Thomas Clayton Coleman of Bryant Lane hung around as Investigator Gullett searched the property.  Gullett found several one pots, coffee filters, coleman fuel,  and naratic acid.  Coleman was arrested and charged with initiating the process to manufacture methamphetamine and maintaining a dwelling to manufacture methamphetamine.  Coleman made bond and will answer to the two charges on Tuesday March 5th in Cannon County General Sessions Court.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is calling all 5th graders from across the state to participate in the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) 2013 National Missing Children’s Day poster contest by entering at the state level for a chance to be selected as the national winner and awarded a free trip to Washington D.C. The purpose of the contest is to demonstrate America’s united effort to bring missing children home safely, while highlighting the importance of proactive education programs. The poster contest provides teachers and parents with tools to educate children about safety and the prevention of child abductions. It also allows for peer education and students can explore the importance of the contest’s theme “Bring Our Missing Children Home.” The National Missing Children’s Day ceremony will be held on or around May 25, 2013. The ceremony will be a time to recognize people who work to bring missing children home safely and remember the children who remain missing.
Fifth graders in Tennessee can enter the poster contest by submitting them to TBI who will then pick a state winner to enter into the national contest.
Tennessee entries and completed applications should be mailed to:
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
c/o Criminal Intelligence Unit
901 R.S. Gass Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37216
TBI must receive entries by March 1, 2013 for consideration. The state winner will be notified in March 2012 and the entry will be submitted to the national contest. The national winner will be selected and notified in April.
 

There are no easy games left on the schedule for the Cannon County Lionettes.  Even in games the Lionettes dominated in the first meeting, the Lionettes are finding opposing teams are making adjustments the second time around and making it difficult to win.  Such was the case Tuesday night when Murfreesboro Central Magnet came to Woodbury to play the Lionettes in district action.  Cannon got out to a double digit lead in the first quarter only to watch it slip away.  The Lady Tigers would stay with the Lionettes but were never able to force a lead change.  Once again clutch free throw shooting from Madison Walkup would allow the Lionettes to cushion the lead and run out the clock winning 58-53. Abbey Sissom led the way with 18 while Abby Jakes added 14 in the win The win launched Cannon into second place in District 8-AA with a 6-2 record.  Livingston stays in first right now with a 5-1 district record after beating Dekalb Tuesday night.  Smith County who was in second place drops down to third after getting upset by Upperman Tuesday evening.  Cannon’s overall record is now 20-3. The Lions boys basketball team pulled their overall record to 500 at 11 and 11 after jumping out to a 32-2 lead over the Central Magnet Boys basketball team.  Tanner Larson dominated the inside post with 16 points while Cory Henley popped in 10 and Jarrett Melton had another quality game with 9 points and numerous assists as the Lions coasted to a 66-30 win over Central of Murfreesboro.  The win keeps Cannon at 5-3 in the district in fourth place only one game back of Livingston and Upperman and two back from league leading Dekalb.  The Lions and Lionettes will finish the week against Livingston at home in Woodbury on Friday night.
 

One of Cannon County’s popular figures passed away Tuesday night.  Former Cannon County Circuit Court Clerk Robert H “Hoppy” Davenport passed away in the Westside community last night.  “Hoppy” had served as the Cannon County court clerk for a little over three decades in a career that spanned 32 years.  Davenport resigned from his position in January of 2010 to enjoy retirement which included one of his favorite hobbies in fishing.  The official cause of death has not been released and a full obituary will be available at a later time.